Manchester City have shelved any possibility of selling versatile Ukrainian youngster Oleksandr Zinchenko in January, James Ducker of the Telegraph reports.

The Blues were reported to have been open to a sale of the 21-year-old, who struggled for any sort of game time in the early stages of the season.

However, Benjamin Mendy’s latest injury setback means Zinchenko, who has mostly been used in cup competitions this season, will now be needed to rotate with Fabian Delph in the left-back position.

Mendy is expected to be out for three months and with no other specialist left-back, Delph and Zinchenko will be Pep Guardiola’s main options as he considers long-term plans for the position.

Zinchenko, one of the unexpected success stories of last season, turned down a move to Wolves in the summer transfer window, while La Liga side Real Betis made a late attempt to sign him but couldn’t agree terms with City.